Hôtel de la Mare

The Hôtel de la Mare's history as a residential hotel dates back to the early 1900s, and it was renovated several times, most recently in 2012. Those origins are seen on its exterior, but not much anywhere else. The facade is cream with tall rectangular windows and elegant wrought-iron window guards, some draped with flowering plants. The lobby has a few desks with pamphlets and a small wooden reception desk. Fanned paving stones in courtyard is one of the most impressive architectural details. But much of the rest of the hotel -- the striped carpet in the hallways and bone-white walls -- could be in any number of budget hotels, though pops of primary colors such as yellow doors keep things cheerful.

The Hôtel de la Mare is on a quiet street in a section of Paris that feels like a village inside a big city -- the Right Bank's 20th Arrondissement. Leading up to the property is a pathway paved with smooth stones. The neighborhood, which includes the Ménilmontant and Belleville districts, is far from many of Paris' big tourist attractions, yet it still has a couple of its own. Parc de Belleville, which has the highest elevation of any park in Paris and panoramic views of the city, is a five-minute walk from the hotel. The world-famous Père Lachaise cemetery (with the graves of The Doors' Jim Morrison, French playwright Moliere, and English writer Oscar Wilde) is a 11-minute walk from the hotel. Bigger tourist attractions are a much longer trip. The Eiffel Tower is about 25 minutes by car or an hour on the metro. The Louvre is a bit easier: 18 minutes by car or 35 minutes on the metro. The business district of La Defense is about 30 minutes by car or almost an hour on the metro. The Ménilmontant Metro station is an eight-minute walk from the hotel. Travelers arriving at Charles de Gaulle Airport should expect about a 40-minute car ride. The ride from Orly airport is about 50 minutes.

The guest rooms at Hôtel de la Mare cover all of the basic necessities and a little bit more. Categories range in size from a Single to a Double and up to Suites. Comfortable mattresses, locker-like closets, and simple desks furnish the rooms. Given the hotel was renovated in 2012, most of the furniture is on the newer side, if not particularly upscale. But tan gingham bedding and doors in pops of red, orange, or yellow go a ways to keep the rooms stylish and cheerful. A big plus is the kitchenette in each unit, with a microwave, coffeemaker, mini-fridge, and dishware -- very handy for families and guests on a longer stay. Wall-mounted flat-screen TVs and safes also come standard. Bathrooms are finished with black-and-white tile and modern fixtures. Most are fairly compact and only have a shower, but very nice for a two-pearl property. Travelers in search of a better bargain can opt for a room with a shared bath. Free Wi-Fi is available in rooms, and a free breakfast is brought to the door in the morning. 

Guests who expect to spend a lot of time at their hotel enjoying the amenities should probably consider a different type of property than the Hôtel de la Mare. There's no restaurant, business center, or gym. A free continental breakfast is delivered to bedrooms each morning. A courtyard paved with stones and furnished with a handful of chairs provides one of the few places for lounging. Self-parking is available for a surcharge. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.